My hay making is expanding. I need to upgrade, but don't have the money to get what I would really like to have. I have been doing about 5-600 bales a year and its looking like we're going to over 1500 next year. Reasoning behind the new plan - The mower is the worst followed by the rake, baler, crimper, and wagons. I had convinced my self that I needed a new (faster) baler, but am re-thinking it. Thanks to JerryD, I know what the problem was/is with the baler and it was flying the last time out and only broke 4 knots in 230 bales (not bad for a 50 year old baler with problems). Anyway I kept time of the steps and found with two guys we could mow and crimp an acre in 50 mins, ted in roughly 15, rake and bale in 30. I didn't count unloading (have to do that regardless). My goal is to be able to complete a step in a day since we are picking up 20 acres that's 20+ miles from home, So, I ran the numbers and think I will be putting the money towards a new mowing system. But what to get. Money has me limited to three choices - Used haybine, New sickle, or the dreaded Drum mower. Haybine - A haybine would be a good choice because it crimps at the same time and one guy could do it. But with a "good" used unit going in the $4-5000 range around here, I'd be looking at one in a little rougher shape and don't want to end up with a money pit. Sickle - I have nothing against a new sickle, but do they tend to clog up they way this old unit does (that's my biggest time consumer, stop, get down, unclog, start again)? Drum mower - I have no idea how they perform. Have some experience with a disk mower, do they work (cut) the same way or is there a difference? Looking for someone who has or is using one for comments
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